Introduction
What to do
Where to eat
When to visit
How to get there
Where to stay
Hiring a car

Bolton travel guide

Bolton Tourism | Bolton Guide

You're Going to Love Bolton

With a population of 141,331, Bolton is a must-see destination in England, United Kingdom. It is one of the most popular cities to visit in the country. Bolton deserves at least 2 full days for you to see its main sights.

Where to Eat in Bolton

If you’re looking for affordable options, Cross Guns (390 Blackburn Road) and The Cherry Tree (Chorley Road Blackrod) are great picks.

When to visit Bolton

Bolton in January
Estimated hotel price
£46
1 night at 3-star hotel
Bolton in January
Estimated hotel price
£46
1 night at 3-star hotel

How to Get to Bolton

Plane

Although Bolton doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Manchester Airport (UK) (MAN), which is located 17 miles from Bolton. Birmingham Airport (UK) is the most popular, with regular flights from easyJet, British Airways, Aer Lingus and other airlines departing from the United Kingdom. The shortest domestic flight to Bolton departs from Belfast and takes around 55m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Bolton, followed by Transpennine Express. The train journey from Bolton to London takes 3h 05m and costs around £36 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Edinburgh, expect to pay about £54 for a 3h 07m trip. Located 2.0 miles from the city centre, Bolton Moses Gate is the busiest station in Bolton. Another popular train station is Bolton Bromley Cross, located 2 miles from the centre.

Car

Another option to get to Bolton is to pick up a car hire from London, which is about 173 miles from Bolton. You’ll find branches of GREEN MOTION and Turo, among others, in London.

Bus

You can travel by bus to Bolton using National Express or FlixBus. From Liverpool, the bus ride to Bolton takes 84 miles and will cost you around £4. From Birmingham, the ticket costs about £10 for a journey of 140 miles. Bolton’s bus station is located 0.3 miles from the city centre.

Plane

Although Bolton doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Manchester Airport (UK) (MAN), which is located 17 miles from Bolton. Birmingham Airport (UK) is the most popular, with regular flights from easyJet, British Airways, Aer Lingus and other airlines departing from the United Kingdom. The shortest domestic flight to Bolton departs from Belfast and takes around 55m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Bolton, followed by Transpennine Express. The train journey from Bolton to London takes 3h 05m and costs around £36 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Edinburgh, expect to pay about £54 for a 3h 07m trip. Located 2.0 miles from the city centre, Bolton Moses Gate is the busiest station in Bolton. Another popular train station is Bolton Bromley Cross, located 2 miles from the centre.

Car

Another option to get to Bolton is to pick up a car hire from London, which is about 173 miles from Bolton. You’ll find branches of GREEN MOTION and Turo, among others, in London.

Bus

You can travel by bus to Bolton using National Express or FlixBus. From Liverpool, the bus ride to Bolton takes 84 miles and will cost you around £4. From Birmingham, the ticket costs about £10 for a journey of 140 miles. Bolton’s bus station is located 0.3 miles from the city centre.

Airports near Bolton

BHXBirmingham
LPLLiverpool J. Lennon
MANManchester

Airlines serving Bolton

Lufthansa
Good (7,407 reviews)
KLM
Good (1,386 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,363 reviews)
Delta
Good (7,957 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,737 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (3,968 reviews)
Iberia
Good (2,924 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (8,923 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,468 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,336 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,624 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (850 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (10,145 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,486 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,114 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,250 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,324 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (996 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (359 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (1,365 reviews)
Show more
Find flights to Bolton

Where to stay in Bolton

There are also lots of holiday rental options in Bolton, with prices from £8 to £873 per night. Downtown is the neighbourhood with the highest amount of rentals to choose from. On average, holiday rentals in Bolton are about 15% cheaper than a hotel room in the city.

Where to stay in popular areas of Bolton

Most booked hotels in Bolton

See all
Holiday Inn Express Leigh - Sports Village By IHG
3 stars
Excellent (8.5, Excellent reviews)
£64+
View
Last Drop Village Hotel & Spa
4 stars
Excellent (8.1, Excellent reviews)
£84+
View
Bolton Stadium Hotel
4 stars
Excellent (8.1, Excellent reviews)
£71+
View
Ramada by Wyndham Chorley South
3 stars
Excellent (8.1, Excellent reviews)
£32+
View
Holiday Inn Bolton Centre By IHG
3 stars
Excellent (8, Excellent reviews)
£64+
View
Village Hotel Manchester Bury
3 stars
Good (7.8, Good reviews)
£71+
View

Hiring a car in Bolton

Hiring a car in Bolton costs £32 per day, on average, or £64 if you want to hire it for 2 days.

You’re likely to save money by hiring your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 10% more expensive than at Manchester.

Expect to pay £1.33 per litre in Bolton (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your car hire, filling up the tank will cost between £15.92 and £21.22. Compact (Volkswagen Polo or similar) is the most popular car type to hire in Bolton, while also 76% cheaper than other types, on average.

Hiring a car in Bolton costs £32 per day, on average, or £64 if you want to hire it for 2 days.

You’re likely to save money by hiring your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 10% more expensive than at Manchester.

Expect to pay £1.33 per litre in Bolton (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your car hire, filling up the tank will cost between £15.92 and £21.22. Compact (Volkswagen Polo or similar) is the most popular car type to hire in Bolton, while also 76% cheaper than other types, on average.

Best car hire deals in Bolton

Compact SUV

4 adults, 2 Bags

£28/day

Compact SUV

Intermediate SUV

5 adults, 3 Bags

£31/day

Intermediate SUV
Find car hire in Bolton

Bolton Travel Guide - View the KAYAK Bolton city guide for the best Bolton travel tips. To help you organise your Bolton trip ideas, this Bolton visitors guide provides travel information and trip tips about how to get there, where to stay, what to do, where to eat and more.